drunkenpandaren (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
drunkenpandaren) wrote2010-06-13 09:14 am
drunkenpandaren) wrote2010-06-13 09:14 am
Lyrical Nanoha - Children of the Stars "Draft Incomplete"
Footsteps echoed down the dark corridor as a small form ran. She didn’t know how far she ran only that it wasn’t enough. Through twists and turns, the rock seemed to close in around her.
Squeezing through a crack, she gasped as she rounded the corner. The room suddenly filled with light, a shimmering pool of liquid blue. And then the figures came into the room, tall, menacing. One of them gestured at her. She tried to flee, but her feet were rooted to the spot. She couldn’t move, and the hissing of the forms advanced closer and closer until the light was blotted out from the pool of liquid.
Nanoha Takamachi awoke with a start. Sweaty, exhausted, tired. She raised a hand to her throat, and found she could speak. Fate stirred in her bed and Nanoha quickly lay down.
“Nanoha-chan… did you wake up?”
“Iie, Fate-chan. Just go back to sleep. I’m going to get a drink of water.”
“Kay…”
Nanoha looked at herself in the mirror. Disheveled, bags under her eyes, eyes bloodshot. She seemed to be sweating a lot despite the December weather. Shucking off her top, she splashed water on her face and dried her face with a towel.
But then, something made her pause as she looked down at her stomach. A crisscrossing of lines was there, like… a pouch? She poked at it and without warning, a snake burst from it, hissing.
Nanoha screamed, and she hit the floor in a blind panic.
It took Vivio and Fate twenty minutes to calm her down, and another fifteen to look at her unmarked stomach.
Lyrical Nanoha: Children of the Stars
Written by Shaun Garin
“Stress,” said Shamal as she removed the thermometer from Nanoha’s lips and checked it. “That’s the way I figure its going. Between the new reassignments and everything, you’re just overworked.”
“Stress that makes me hallucinate snakes bursting from my gut…?” asked Nanoha skeptically in a tone that said, “Shamal, don’t make me call you a quack.”
“Yes, stress.” said Shamal in a no-nonsense voice. “Would you like me to run the entire INVASIVE exam again?”
“Napoleonic Power Monger—OW!” Nanoha held her head as Shamal had bonked her with her stethoscope. “Shamal you’re so mean!”
“And you’ve being a child. GO. GIT! I don’t want you in the office for another week!”
“Can I have a lollipop then?” Shamal groaned. Nanoha giggled.
“Well if anything your tongue is working.”
“Stress,” said Vita in a deadpan tone.
“That’s what Shamal said.” Said Nanoha, winding a good chunk of pasta around her fork.
“Well she is a licensed doctor,” said Signum calmly. “I would pay more attention to her than the advice of anyone else.”
“Mou you’re on her side,” sighed Nanoha. “What am I going to do for a week? Paint my toenails?”
“We could always get Hayate to find you something to do,” said Vita drolly, causing Nanoha to make an “erk” noise. “It would include pretty dresses too.”
“Or kitty ornaments.” Said Signum.
“Or both.”
“Schoolgirl Kitty Cosplay with a side of no-panties.” The pair looked at Signum and she coughed, trying to distance herself from what she just said. Ten years of corruption was finally starting to sink in.
“AAANYway,” drawled Vita. “If its stress then you should take this time off, not read reports while you’re supposed to be resting. I’ll take over your classes. No buts Nanoha,” added Vita to Nanoha’s impending protest. “If you’re hallucinating snakes bursting from your gut like that old American science fiction movie, then you clearly need rest.”
“… hai.”
“Mama!” Nanoha looked up at Vivio who ran up to her and the ten year old gave her a hug. “How’d the tests go?”
“Shamal says its stress,” said Nanoha as Fate followed behind. “Fate-chan.”
“I would imagine so. You’ve been working yourself really hard lately,” said Fate with a sigh. “Has Vita volunteered to take over your classes for a while?”
“You put her up to that,” said Nanoha in an accusing manner.
Fate chuckled. “No, she volunteered herself. Said something about you losing your edge due to stress would be the worst way for something to happen.”
“Should have known,” sighed Nanoha. “So Vivio-chan, what are you planning for today since it’s your vacation?”
“I was hoping to go to the natural history museum,” said Vivio. “There’s a new exhibit of artifacts there and I’d really like to go. Please?”
“Alright, sounds good.” Said Nanoha as she took her daughters hand.
“Welcome to the natural history museum of Mid-Childa,” greeted the girl at the desk. “Admission is free but please don’t touch anything.”
“Where’s the new exhibits?” inquired Nanoha.
“Down the hall to the left. But they’re in the process of setting things up so it’s off limits,” said the girl.
“That’s fine, I’ll authorize it,” said a voice from behind them and the women turned as Yuuno smiled. “Hi.”
“Yuuno-kun!” exclaimed Nanoha, hugging him as Vivio did the same. Fate smiled at Yuuno who blushed and smiled back. “What are you doing here? Are you working on the exhibit?”
“Yes I am,” said Yuuno. “Normally they’d get someone else, but the discovery’s just so remarkable I had to throw my hat into it. C’mon, I’ll give you guys the grand tour.”
“Wow…” breathed Vivio, looking around at the exhibit. It was full of carved stone, hieroglyphics everywhere and there were numerous artifacts of Egyptian make. “This is so nice! So much gold and silver and oh wow!”
Yuuno chuckled as a young man walked up to them. “Everyone this is Doctor Daniel Jackson, the head archeologist who discovered all of this.”
“Pleasure to meet you,” said Daniel with a heavy accent to his Mid-Childian language.
“Are you from off-world?” inquired Fate curiously.
“Ah yes, I’m from Colorado Springs, Earth actually,” said Daniel. “When I met Yuuno I was trying to earn credit for my discoveries and theories…” he shifted uncomfortably at the next part and Yuuno picked up the pace.
“Dr. Jackson theorized that the pyramids were actually alien landing sites,” said Yuuno. “Most of the scientific community dismissed his theories and drummed him out, but when a discovery on a non-administrated world proved that there was some evidence, we sought out a known Egyptologist who would believe us.”
“And that happened to be Dr. Jackson,” said Nanoha with a smile.
“That’s right.” Yuuno clapped the young man on the shoulder. “Since then we’ve moved him to Mid-Childa, and allowed him free reign of all of the artifacts in the exhibit.”
“Your language is incredibly complex,” added Daniel. “A mix of Japanese, English and German into a whole new branch of syntax and Romanized English. Fascinating to say the least, but incredibly easy to pick up.”
“I had a bit of a time learning it myself,” chuckled Nanoha. “I’m from Earth, Japan actually.”
Daniel smiled at that, relaxing visibly. “I’m glad to see there are more people from earth. Sad to say but I don’t have an ounce of magic in me. I know an Astrophysicist that would KILL to study a device. Sadly Sam was out of town when I called her. She’s a big fan of “There’s no such thing as magic” and Clarke’s First Law.”
“Clarke’s First Law?” inquired Fate curiously.
“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic,” supplied Vivio much to their surprise. “Arther C. Clarke. I’ve read one of his writings before.”
“In any case, a tour.” Said Yuuno and the others nodded, following them around as Daniel began to explain the artifacts.
“The artifacts seen here today suggest a vast intergalactic civilization, long pre-dating the Belkan society,” said Daniel as he moved through the vast collection. “Interestingly enough, there are numerous artifacts of different origin, and all connected to Earth history. These here,” and he indicated a group of gemmed gold trinkets, “are based on Egyptians, but are made of a mineral that we’ve yet to identify.”
“This one here,” said Yuuno, picking up a staff, “Is a staff we found in the ruins. It’s long since inactive, but there seems to be a ceremonial use for it. Definitely Egyptian in make due to the markings on it, but decidedly alien in nature.”
“Of course with the Earth populace as it is now, most of these things would have been classified. They’re not quite ready for the reveal of alien life outside their solar system, and quite frankly neither was I for a while.” Daniel coughed and cleared his throat. “Here we have a sarcophagus, long since inactive, but we’ve looked and studied it, and believe it to be some form of regenerative device, perhaps for healing of some kind. We believe aliens had to regularly rest in this sarcophagus and restore their bodies to a healthy state.”
“Amazing,” said Fate, running her fingertips over the intricately carved gold and brass. “And where was this all found?”
“On a planet that we designate as Abydos, a desert-like world much like Egypt but with few resources. The local tribes were far away so we had no means to speak with them, but we found several items that suggested a highly advanced civilization.” answered Daniel. “Admittedly, with the few we spoke to, spoke of Gods that would descend from high, and demand tribute. They called it the old ways, for their gods had never visited them in 10,000 years.”
“They seemed pretty happy to foist their stuff onto us,” remarked Yuuno and Daniel shrugged.
“What’s this?” inquired Vivio, running her hand across a stone ring.
“Ah that. That is something we’ve yet to identify. It’s probably a ceremonial device or a…” started Daniel but then was interrupted by Fate.
“Nanoha-chan? What’s wrong?”
Nanoha had gone sheet white, shaking, pale. Her hands shook and she looked like she was about to start hyperventilating. Fate turned to Vivio and exclaimed, “Call Shamal quick!”
But there was no time for that as Nanoha let loose a ear-splitting scream of terror and promptly collapsed into Fate’s arms.
“GET A MEDIC!”
“I’ve never quite seen anything like it,” mused Daniel as he poured over the notes with Yuuno that evening. “What did Dr. Shamal say about it?”
“Something about seeing the ring triggered an episode, possibly related to her nightmares lately,” said Yuuno, pushing his glasses up. “I’m worried. Nanoha’s always been strong but to have this horrible reaction to something…”
“Do you think the two are connected?” asked Daniel lowly.
“I don’t believe in coincidence other than it serves to bite us in the backside,” said Yuuno seriously. “Daniel, why don’t you take over; I need to go check on Nanoha.”
Daniel nodded as Yuuno departed. For a long moment he watched him leave, and then sighed. “Let’s hope it’s nothing major…”
“I’m fine!” protested Nanoha as she was being mothered by Fate, Vivio and anyone else within arms reach. After her episode, she had been given a bill of health and sent home with strict orders not to get out of bed. “Mou, I can feed myself!”
“No buts. Open.” Fate gave Nanoha her best mom glare which rebounded off the I don’t wanna look. “Nanoha-chan, stop being so stubborn.”
“You screamed and fainted, I think we’ve hit critical mass,” pointed out Vivio. “Maybe I should go bug Einhart-chan for a while. Give you two some space.”
Nanoha softened, just a little. And she opened her mouth to allow Fate to spoon feed her soup. “It’s cold…!”
“Well if you’d have stopped being stubborn it would have been warm,” chided Fate gently.
“Eew, you’re flirting again,” added Vivio as she got up. “I’m going to phone the others, tell them you’re doing fine enough to flirt while I’m in the room.”
“Ah they grow up so fast,” sighed Nanoha with a little grin. And she opened her mouth for more cold miso.
“Nanoha, what happened there?” inquired Fate as she dabbed the side of Nanoha’s mouth with a napkin. “You went so pale and then screamed and fainted. I’ve never seen you like that before.” Her voice pitched to a quieter tone. “Is it… because of the nightmares?”
“… I don’t know,” said Nanoha honestly. “I saw the ring and this… this overwhelming terror filled me. I couldn’t run or move, only scream.”
Fate nodded, thinking of what it could be. “Doesn’t seem like an illness or just simply bad dreams. Maybe we should start looking into wide-area scans.”
“I’ve had Raising Heart do that for days now,” admitted Nanoha. “Since the nightmares began. Nothing.”
“Odd.” Fate sighed. “Looks like there’s nothing we can do but wait.”
That night, rain had begun to fall as a thunderstorm boiled overhead. Despite Fate sleeping, Nanoha couldn’t as she flinched from each crackle of thunder. Thunderstorms were always bad in Mid-Childa due to the climate, but this one seemed even worse than before.
Careful not to disturb Fate, she slid out and went into the living room to where the large double windows sat, leading to the balcony. “Am I… going insane?” murmured Nanoha.
[I do not think you are] assured Raising Heart. [you are the picture of health my master.]
Nanoha smiled at that. Trust Raising Heart to make such an astute statement. “Thank you Raising Heart.”
As she looked out the window, she frowned. Was there someone out there in the rain.
She peered at the form. It was… a small girl. Vivio? No, she was asleep.
Lightning flashed, illuminating the figure and she gasped. Auburn hair, school uniform. Dead looking eyes that locked with hers. Nanoha rubbed her eyes to make sure that she wasn’t hallucinating. No, still there.
Out there stood a girl who looked exactly like her, and she was looking at her.
The girl gestured up to her and waggled her fingers. Come hither. And then she started to run.
The chase had taken Nanoha time to catch up, only catching glimpses of the tiny doppelganger until she arrived at the natural history museum. She tried the doors to no avail. How in the world did that girl get through so easily?
Pounding at the door, she yelled, “Is anyone inside? A guard, janitor?”
“Nanoha?” Nanoha leaped in fright as Daniel stood there, holding an umbrella and carrying coffee from the late-night stop nearby. “What are you doing here? … and in sleeping clothes?”
“Uh…” said Nanoha, trying to explain that she saw a little version of herself and had been chasing her down on foot?
Daniel sighed and unlocked the museum door. “Come inside. Yuuno’ll be back soon. You DID see him earlier today right?”
“Yes, before bed,” said Nanoha as she followed Daniel inside, the heat of the room comforting in the drenching rain.
“That was impulsive, reckless and I should really call Fate,” said Yuuno as he had returned to see Nanoha wrapped in an emergency blanket, soaked from head to toe in her sleepwear no less. “That being said, we’ll get to the bottom of this.”
“Thank you Yuuno-kun,” said Nanoha as she was given a cup of steaming hot chocolate to drink.
“So this girl you saw, who looked like you, lead you here.” Said Daniel, taking a sip of his own coffee. “And she just slipped right into the building?”
“Yes. I don’t know if I was hallucinating but she was definitely here,” said Nanoha. “You two believe me, don’t you?”
“I’ve honestly got to say between the weird things that happened to us as kids, this takes the cake,” said Yuuno. “But I believe you. You’ve never lied to anyone intentionally anyhow.”
“I think we need to take a look at that ring,” said Daniel. “It seems to be the source of the problem.”
Nanoha shivered, but it was more out of fear than anything else. “A-alright.”
“It’s interesting to say the least,” said Daniel as Nanoha had gathered the courage to approach and touch the stone ring. “It’s full of markings which look like hieroglyphics but are definitely not.”
“Was there anything else with it when it was discovered?” inquired Nanoha.
“This,” said Yuuno, pulling the sheet off it. “It doesn’t seem to have any power to it though, but seems to be a control device for the ring.”
“A control….” Nanoha gasped as she saw something the others couldn’t. A little girl, pressing symbols. One, two, three, all the way to seven.
“-oha! Nanoha!” Nanoha snapped to attention as Yuuno looked at her, worried. “You just stared into space there. Are you SURE you’re okay?”
Nanoha nodded as she walked up to the stone item. “Raising Heart, can you see if there’s anything missing?”
[Scanning.] A moment passed. [Scan complete. There is a unhooked power coupling in section A of the device.]
The pair paused for a moment, and then Daniel grumbled as he stuck his head into the internal components, found the loose connection and connected it. “Can’t believe we completely missed this.”
“I still can’t believe we’re actually doing this. Do you have any idea of what this is going to do Nanoha?” inquired Yuuno.
“Not a clue.”
“Done.” Daniel scooted out and got some space. “Fire it up. Or whatever.”
Nanoha bit her lip before she started pressing buttons, the controls lighting up with each touch. It was like a ghostly hand was guiding her and she touched the final piece.
The ring which had stayed silent to this point, lit up abruptly, the glyphs appearing rapidly before there was a chunk pre-empted by a tremendous buildup of energy. Daniel ducked behind a table and Yuuno did the same, before reaching up and pulling Nanoha down with him.
FWOOOSH!
A huge pillar of blue-white energy erupted from the ring and receeded, carving a hole in the back wall before stabilizing. Yuuno looked up and winced. “The museum’s going to have a field day. I think that was the extinct animals exhibit on the other side.”
Daniel on the other hand, was fairly enthralled by the pool of light. “Amazing,” he said. “Do you guys realize what we’re seeing?” They shook their heads. “Sam told me about this. It’s a stable WORMHOLE.”
“Wait, don’t those just form in space? Shouldn’t we be, sucked in?” asked Nanoha.
“Well for whatever reason, we’ve figured out what the ring does,” said Yuuno. “Now you can turn it off.”
“… I have to go through,” said Nanoha, earning a chorus of “What?!” from the men. “Yuuno-kun, Dr. Jackson, please stay here.”
And determined, she marched through, being swallowed up by the liquid.
After a long moment Yuuno said, “Stay here,” and he ran in after Nanoha.
Daniel smirked. “Oh I’m not missing this for the world.” And he followed.
After what seemed like an instant and eternity at the same time, Nanoha emerged, shivering as she did so. Just then, Yuuno plowed into her, followed by Daniel. “I told you two to stay there!” exclaimed Nanoha from the newly formed people-pile.
“And leave you somewhere in time and/or space? Fat chance,” said Yuuno.
“What he said,” groaned Daniel, getting up. “Where are we?”
Squeezing through a crack, she gasped as she rounded the corner. The room suddenly filled with light, a shimmering pool of liquid blue. And then the figures came into the room, tall, menacing. One of them gestured at her. She tried to flee, but her feet were rooted to the spot. She couldn’t move, and the hissing of the forms advanced closer and closer until the light was blotted out from the pool of liquid.
Nanoha Takamachi awoke with a start. Sweaty, exhausted, tired. She raised a hand to her throat, and found she could speak. Fate stirred in her bed and Nanoha quickly lay down.
“Nanoha-chan… did you wake up?”
“Iie, Fate-chan. Just go back to sleep. I’m going to get a drink of water.”
“Kay…”
Nanoha looked at herself in the mirror. Disheveled, bags under her eyes, eyes bloodshot. She seemed to be sweating a lot despite the December weather. Shucking off her top, she splashed water on her face and dried her face with a towel.
But then, something made her pause as she looked down at her stomach. A crisscrossing of lines was there, like… a pouch? She poked at it and without warning, a snake burst from it, hissing.
Nanoha screamed, and she hit the floor in a blind panic.
It took Vivio and Fate twenty minutes to calm her down, and another fifteen to look at her unmarked stomach.
Lyrical Nanoha: Children of the Stars
Written by Shaun Garin
“Stress,” said Shamal as she removed the thermometer from Nanoha’s lips and checked it. “That’s the way I figure its going. Between the new reassignments and everything, you’re just overworked.”
“Stress that makes me hallucinate snakes bursting from my gut…?” asked Nanoha skeptically in a tone that said, “Shamal, don’t make me call you a quack.”
“Yes, stress.” said Shamal in a no-nonsense voice. “Would you like me to run the entire INVASIVE exam again?”
“Napoleonic Power Monger—OW!” Nanoha held her head as Shamal had bonked her with her stethoscope. “Shamal you’re so mean!”
“And you’ve being a child. GO. GIT! I don’t want you in the office for another week!”
“Can I have a lollipop then?” Shamal groaned. Nanoha giggled.
“Well if anything your tongue is working.”
“Stress,” said Vita in a deadpan tone.
“That’s what Shamal said.” Said Nanoha, winding a good chunk of pasta around her fork.
“Well she is a licensed doctor,” said Signum calmly. “I would pay more attention to her than the advice of anyone else.”
“Mou you’re on her side,” sighed Nanoha. “What am I going to do for a week? Paint my toenails?”
“We could always get Hayate to find you something to do,” said Vita drolly, causing Nanoha to make an “erk” noise. “It would include pretty dresses too.”
“Or kitty ornaments.” Said Signum.
“Or both.”
“Schoolgirl Kitty Cosplay with a side of no-panties.” The pair looked at Signum and she coughed, trying to distance herself from what she just said. Ten years of corruption was finally starting to sink in.
“AAANYway,” drawled Vita. “If its stress then you should take this time off, not read reports while you’re supposed to be resting. I’ll take over your classes. No buts Nanoha,” added Vita to Nanoha’s impending protest. “If you’re hallucinating snakes bursting from your gut like that old American science fiction movie, then you clearly need rest.”
“… hai.”
“Mama!” Nanoha looked up at Vivio who ran up to her and the ten year old gave her a hug. “How’d the tests go?”
“Shamal says its stress,” said Nanoha as Fate followed behind. “Fate-chan.”
“I would imagine so. You’ve been working yourself really hard lately,” said Fate with a sigh. “Has Vita volunteered to take over your classes for a while?”
“You put her up to that,” said Nanoha in an accusing manner.
Fate chuckled. “No, she volunteered herself. Said something about you losing your edge due to stress would be the worst way for something to happen.”
“Should have known,” sighed Nanoha. “So Vivio-chan, what are you planning for today since it’s your vacation?”
“I was hoping to go to the natural history museum,” said Vivio. “There’s a new exhibit of artifacts there and I’d really like to go. Please?”
“Alright, sounds good.” Said Nanoha as she took her daughters hand.
“Welcome to the natural history museum of Mid-Childa,” greeted the girl at the desk. “Admission is free but please don’t touch anything.”
“Where’s the new exhibits?” inquired Nanoha.
“Down the hall to the left. But they’re in the process of setting things up so it’s off limits,” said the girl.
“That’s fine, I’ll authorize it,” said a voice from behind them and the women turned as Yuuno smiled. “Hi.”
“Yuuno-kun!” exclaimed Nanoha, hugging him as Vivio did the same. Fate smiled at Yuuno who blushed and smiled back. “What are you doing here? Are you working on the exhibit?”
“Yes I am,” said Yuuno. “Normally they’d get someone else, but the discovery’s just so remarkable I had to throw my hat into it. C’mon, I’ll give you guys the grand tour.”
“Wow…” breathed Vivio, looking around at the exhibit. It was full of carved stone, hieroglyphics everywhere and there were numerous artifacts of Egyptian make. “This is so nice! So much gold and silver and oh wow!”
Yuuno chuckled as a young man walked up to them. “Everyone this is Doctor Daniel Jackson, the head archeologist who discovered all of this.”
“Pleasure to meet you,” said Daniel with a heavy accent to his Mid-Childian language.
“Are you from off-world?” inquired Fate curiously.
“Ah yes, I’m from Colorado Springs, Earth actually,” said Daniel. “When I met Yuuno I was trying to earn credit for my discoveries and theories…” he shifted uncomfortably at the next part and Yuuno picked up the pace.
“Dr. Jackson theorized that the pyramids were actually alien landing sites,” said Yuuno. “Most of the scientific community dismissed his theories and drummed him out, but when a discovery on a non-administrated world proved that there was some evidence, we sought out a known Egyptologist who would believe us.”
“And that happened to be Dr. Jackson,” said Nanoha with a smile.
“That’s right.” Yuuno clapped the young man on the shoulder. “Since then we’ve moved him to Mid-Childa, and allowed him free reign of all of the artifacts in the exhibit.”
“Your language is incredibly complex,” added Daniel. “A mix of Japanese, English and German into a whole new branch of syntax and Romanized English. Fascinating to say the least, but incredibly easy to pick up.”
“I had a bit of a time learning it myself,” chuckled Nanoha. “I’m from Earth, Japan actually.”
Daniel smiled at that, relaxing visibly. “I’m glad to see there are more people from earth. Sad to say but I don’t have an ounce of magic in me. I know an Astrophysicist that would KILL to study a device. Sadly Sam was out of town when I called her. She’s a big fan of “There’s no such thing as magic” and Clarke’s First Law.”
“Clarke’s First Law?” inquired Fate curiously.
“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic,” supplied Vivio much to their surprise. “Arther C. Clarke. I’ve read one of his writings before.”
“In any case, a tour.” Said Yuuno and the others nodded, following them around as Daniel began to explain the artifacts.
“The artifacts seen here today suggest a vast intergalactic civilization, long pre-dating the Belkan society,” said Daniel as he moved through the vast collection. “Interestingly enough, there are numerous artifacts of different origin, and all connected to Earth history. These here,” and he indicated a group of gemmed gold trinkets, “are based on Egyptians, but are made of a mineral that we’ve yet to identify.”
“This one here,” said Yuuno, picking up a staff, “Is a staff we found in the ruins. It’s long since inactive, but there seems to be a ceremonial use for it. Definitely Egyptian in make due to the markings on it, but decidedly alien in nature.”
“Of course with the Earth populace as it is now, most of these things would have been classified. They’re not quite ready for the reveal of alien life outside their solar system, and quite frankly neither was I for a while.” Daniel coughed and cleared his throat. “Here we have a sarcophagus, long since inactive, but we’ve looked and studied it, and believe it to be some form of regenerative device, perhaps for healing of some kind. We believe aliens had to regularly rest in this sarcophagus and restore their bodies to a healthy state.”
“Amazing,” said Fate, running her fingertips over the intricately carved gold and brass. “And where was this all found?”
“On a planet that we designate as Abydos, a desert-like world much like Egypt but with few resources. The local tribes were far away so we had no means to speak with them, but we found several items that suggested a highly advanced civilization.” answered Daniel. “Admittedly, with the few we spoke to, spoke of Gods that would descend from high, and demand tribute. They called it the old ways, for their gods had never visited them in 10,000 years.”
“They seemed pretty happy to foist their stuff onto us,” remarked Yuuno and Daniel shrugged.
“What’s this?” inquired Vivio, running her hand across a stone ring.
“Ah that. That is something we’ve yet to identify. It’s probably a ceremonial device or a…” started Daniel but then was interrupted by Fate.
“Nanoha-chan? What’s wrong?”
Nanoha had gone sheet white, shaking, pale. Her hands shook and she looked like she was about to start hyperventilating. Fate turned to Vivio and exclaimed, “Call Shamal quick!”
But there was no time for that as Nanoha let loose a ear-splitting scream of terror and promptly collapsed into Fate’s arms.
“GET A MEDIC!”
“I’ve never quite seen anything like it,” mused Daniel as he poured over the notes with Yuuno that evening. “What did Dr. Shamal say about it?”
“Something about seeing the ring triggered an episode, possibly related to her nightmares lately,” said Yuuno, pushing his glasses up. “I’m worried. Nanoha’s always been strong but to have this horrible reaction to something…”
“Do you think the two are connected?” asked Daniel lowly.
“I don’t believe in coincidence other than it serves to bite us in the backside,” said Yuuno seriously. “Daniel, why don’t you take over; I need to go check on Nanoha.”
Daniel nodded as Yuuno departed. For a long moment he watched him leave, and then sighed. “Let’s hope it’s nothing major…”
“I’m fine!” protested Nanoha as she was being mothered by Fate, Vivio and anyone else within arms reach. After her episode, she had been given a bill of health and sent home with strict orders not to get out of bed. “Mou, I can feed myself!”
“No buts. Open.” Fate gave Nanoha her best mom glare which rebounded off the I don’t wanna look. “Nanoha-chan, stop being so stubborn.”
“You screamed and fainted, I think we’ve hit critical mass,” pointed out Vivio. “Maybe I should go bug Einhart-chan for a while. Give you two some space.”
Nanoha softened, just a little. And she opened her mouth to allow Fate to spoon feed her soup. “It’s cold…!”
“Well if you’d have stopped being stubborn it would have been warm,” chided Fate gently.
“Eew, you’re flirting again,” added Vivio as she got up. “I’m going to phone the others, tell them you’re doing fine enough to flirt while I’m in the room.”
“Ah they grow up so fast,” sighed Nanoha with a little grin. And she opened her mouth for more cold miso.
“Nanoha, what happened there?” inquired Fate as she dabbed the side of Nanoha’s mouth with a napkin. “You went so pale and then screamed and fainted. I’ve never seen you like that before.” Her voice pitched to a quieter tone. “Is it… because of the nightmares?”
“… I don’t know,” said Nanoha honestly. “I saw the ring and this… this overwhelming terror filled me. I couldn’t run or move, only scream.”
Fate nodded, thinking of what it could be. “Doesn’t seem like an illness or just simply bad dreams. Maybe we should start looking into wide-area scans.”
“I’ve had Raising Heart do that for days now,” admitted Nanoha. “Since the nightmares began. Nothing.”
“Odd.” Fate sighed. “Looks like there’s nothing we can do but wait.”
That night, rain had begun to fall as a thunderstorm boiled overhead. Despite Fate sleeping, Nanoha couldn’t as she flinched from each crackle of thunder. Thunderstorms were always bad in Mid-Childa due to the climate, but this one seemed even worse than before.
Careful not to disturb Fate, she slid out and went into the living room to where the large double windows sat, leading to the balcony. “Am I… going insane?” murmured Nanoha.
[I do not think you are] assured Raising Heart. [you are the picture of health my master.]
Nanoha smiled at that. Trust Raising Heart to make such an astute statement. “Thank you Raising Heart.”
As she looked out the window, she frowned. Was there someone out there in the rain.
She peered at the form. It was… a small girl. Vivio? No, she was asleep.
Lightning flashed, illuminating the figure and she gasped. Auburn hair, school uniform. Dead looking eyes that locked with hers. Nanoha rubbed her eyes to make sure that she wasn’t hallucinating. No, still there.
Out there stood a girl who looked exactly like her, and she was looking at her.
The girl gestured up to her and waggled her fingers. Come hither. And then she started to run.
The chase had taken Nanoha time to catch up, only catching glimpses of the tiny doppelganger until she arrived at the natural history museum. She tried the doors to no avail. How in the world did that girl get through so easily?
Pounding at the door, she yelled, “Is anyone inside? A guard, janitor?”
“Nanoha?” Nanoha leaped in fright as Daniel stood there, holding an umbrella and carrying coffee from the late-night stop nearby. “What are you doing here? … and in sleeping clothes?”
“Uh…” said Nanoha, trying to explain that she saw a little version of herself and had been chasing her down on foot?
Daniel sighed and unlocked the museum door. “Come inside. Yuuno’ll be back soon. You DID see him earlier today right?”
“Yes, before bed,” said Nanoha as she followed Daniel inside, the heat of the room comforting in the drenching rain.
“That was impulsive, reckless and I should really call Fate,” said Yuuno as he had returned to see Nanoha wrapped in an emergency blanket, soaked from head to toe in her sleepwear no less. “That being said, we’ll get to the bottom of this.”
“Thank you Yuuno-kun,” said Nanoha as she was given a cup of steaming hot chocolate to drink.
“So this girl you saw, who looked like you, lead you here.” Said Daniel, taking a sip of his own coffee. “And she just slipped right into the building?”
“Yes. I don’t know if I was hallucinating but she was definitely here,” said Nanoha. “You two believe me, don’t you?”
“I’ve honestly got to say between the weird things that happened to us as kids, this takes the cake,” said Yuuno. “But I believe you. You’ve never lied to anyone intentionally anyhow.”
“I think we need to take a look at that ring,” said Daniel. “It seems to be the source of the problem.”
Nanoha shivered, but it was more out of fear than anything else. “A-alright.”
“It’s interesting to say the least,” said Daniel as Nanoha had gathered the courage to approach and touch the stone ring. “It’s full of markings which look like hieroglyphics but are definitely not.”
“Was there anything else with it when it was discovered?” inquired Nanoha.
“This,” said Yuuno, pulling the sheet off it. “It doesn’t seem to have any power to it though, but seems to be a control device for the ring.”
“A control….” Nanoha gasped as she saw something the others couldn’t. A little girl, pressing symbols. One, two, three, all the way to seven.
“-oha! Nanoha!” Nanoha snapped to attention as Yuuno looked at her, worried. “You just stared into space there. Are you SURE you’re okay?”
Nanoha nodded as she walked up to the stone item. “Raising Heart, can you see if there’s anything missing?”
[Scanning.] A moment passed. [Scan complete. There is a unhooked power coupling in section A of the device.]
The pair paused for a moment, and then Daniel grumbled as he stuck his head into the internal components, found the loose connection and connected it. “Can’t believe we completely missed this.”
“I still can’t believe we’re actually doing this. Do you have any idea of what this is going to do Nanoha?” inquired Yuuno.
“Not a clue.”
“Done.” Daniel scooted out and got some space. “Fire it up. Or whatever.”
Nanoha bit her lip before she started pressing buttons, the controls lighting up with each touch. It was like a ghostly hand was guiding her and she touched the final piece.
The ring which had stayed silent to this point, lit up abruptly, the glyphs appearing rapidly before there was a chunk pre-empted by a tremendous buildup of energy. Daniel ducked behind a table and Yuuno did the same, before reaching up and pulling Nanoha down with him.
FWOOOSH!
A huge pillar of blue-white energy erupted from the ring and receeded, carving a hole in the back wall before stabilizing. Yuuno looked up and winced. “The museum’s going to have a field day. I think that was the extinct animals exhibit on the other side.”
Daniel on the other hand, was fairly enthralled by the pool of light. “Amazing,” he said. “Do you guys realize what we’re seeing?” They shook their heads. “Sam told me about this. It’s a stable WORMHOLE.”
“Wait, don’t those just form in space? Shouldn’t we be, sucked in?” asked Nanoha.
“Well for whatever reason, we’ve figured out what the ring does,” said Yuuno. “Now you can turn it off.”
“… I have to go through,” said Nanoha, earning a chorus of “What?!” from the men. “Yuuno-kun, Dr. Jackson, please stay here.”
And determined, she marched through, being swallowed up by the liquid.
After a long moment Yuuno said, “Stay here,” and he ran in after Nanoha.
Daniel smirked. “Oh I’m not missing this for the world.” And he followed.
After what seemed like an instant and eternity at the same time, Nanoha emerged, shivering as she did so. Just then, Yuuno plowed into her, followed by Daniel. “I told you two to stay there!” exclaimed Nanoha from the newly formed people-pile.
“And leave you somewhere in time and/or space? Fat chance,” said Yuuno.
“What he said,” groaned Daniel, getting up. “Where are we?”